Over 5000 Steelers Fans Ink Petition to Keep Vick Off Roster

You knew that the signing of Michael Vick was going to draw fire to the Steelers – some of it positive and a lot of it negative.

The team inked Vick to a one-year deal on Tuesday to make him the backup to Ben Roethlisberger after usual second-string Bruce Gradkowski went down and was placed on IR with a dislocated finger.

The 35-year-old Vick spent time in prison for federal dog-fighting charges, and according to USA Today a petition was started to try and keep him off the Steelers (or probably any teams) roster.

Reports surfaced on Tuesday that Michael Vick was headed to Pittsburgh to meet with the Steelers about being the number two quarterback to Ben Rothelisburger after Bruce Gradkowski suffered a dislocated finger. Not too long after that, a Change.org petition was started to keep Vick off of the Steelers roster, referencing the 35-year-old veteran’s two-stretch in prison for federal dog-fighting charges.

“Michael Vick is a convicted felon and no-class piece of crap. He is also a terrible QB which is why he has no team. Let’s united as Steeler fans – as NFL fans – and stop him from playing on our team! Steelers fans united! Sign to keep Vick from ever wearing the coveted Steelers uniform!!”

Just hours after its inception, nearly 5,000 Steelers fans, suddenly concerned with the character of one of their quarterbacks, signed it.

Those in the corner of the Steelers say that ‘the past is the past’ and Vick should be allowed to play again and he’s not been in any trouble since the prison term.

Others say that the Steelers should not deal with anyone that has that much of a track record and the team should have found another player to sign as their backup QB, and not given Vick the shot.

About the Author

Matt Loede has been in the sports media for over 16 years, with experience covering the MLB, NBA, and NFL. On Sunday’s during football season, you can hear Matt on national networks like Fox Sports Radio, Associated Press, and others. Born and raised in Cleveland Ohio, Matt studies and talks football inside and out, and is anxious to share his thoughts and comments with readers on a daily basis.

It doesn’t really matter if he has done his time. We are die hard Steelers fans & do not want this animal abuser in Pittsburgh, let alone playing for our team. If ticket sales pay his salary, we will not attend. Of course it doesn’t matter what the fans want, you will pay him millions. Go Packers!

I started that petition and was not as you inaccurately state “suddenly concerned with the character of one of our quarterbacks”. I’m apparently one of those weird American citizens who believes in that American concept of innocent until proven guilty. Vick is actually a CONVICTED felon and I’d really that kind of crap not play for a storied franchise such as the Steelers. My thoughts and principles were obviously over ruled today by my team. I’ve been a Steeler fan all of my life and I lost respect for that team today. Sad times.

You obviously are a bigger fan of the Steelers than you are of the English language! Not being convicted does not mean innocence. Vick served his time, end of story. The NFL let him play, and now so has your GM. If you don’t like it, pick a different sport.

Question do you support the Black Lives Matter Movement? I find a lot of people who are upset about how dogs are treated don’t have that same passion when they see unarmed blacks being killed by police. I was wondering how you felt on the matter?

I think people need a reality check. This is about football and football only. If we are going to go by “standards” you’ll be missing 3/4 of the NFL. The man paid his dues and learned a hard lesson. Let it go and move on. Make it about football. He fills the need period.

Another classic case of hate the black guy. He served his time let him play ball. Ben the rapist was welcomed with open arms by all Steeler fans after the fact. Catholic priest molest kids every day, nobody complains, no uproar, no outcry back to church as usual. Just let the man get his ball on…

DO NOT make this about race. Do you make everything about race?? If so, YOU are the racist. Having said that, Michael Vick is a low-class POS and I hope he rots in Hell which I have no doubt he will. As the saying goes: “Sometimes I have to hug my pit bull so I don’t choke people.”

Where was the petition opposing James Harrison? Oh, that’s right, a dog’s well being is more valuable than a woman’s. What country did I think I was in? Whoever started and signed this petition is a joke. Mike Vick isn’t the distraction…YOU ARE!

All the racist comments need to be thrown out the window. Same as the rapist, felon, and other crap.

Plain and simple, Mike Vick was replaced by Geno Smith, a kid who can’t play ball and got his jaw broken by a teammate after causing issues in his own locker room. Vick was less well-liked than that? Why would we want him? The guy is not some super quarterback. You think Ben is old?

This kind of BS argument ticks me off. If you’re gonna argue, use an intelligent argument. Why the guy is not good enough to play for the team. Stop attacking each other. What does that prove?

What team do you coach and where is your license to evaluate talent? The two bums Vick is replacing are the ones who can play. he is being hired to be a backup who did you think they were going to get Tom Brady

George W and Cheney killed thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, yet this is what you find outrageous.
Football is just a game. If you care so much about right and wrong start a petition about something that matters and not some guy that went to jail for a bad thing that had nothing to do with HUMAN life.

I have way more faith in animals than I do in humans. Humans kill, rape, and abuse FOR SPORT. Animals do not!! Understand the difference?? Also, it has been proven that animal abusers will very likely go on to get their bigger thrills by murdering, raping and abusing PEOPLE. Your precious Vick will rot in Hell one day for what he has done.

SMH….this argument is getting to be so out of focus and lame. Its all about filling the need. The man is a quarterback and we need a backup quarterback. Some disagree with his talent, some HATE (yes I used the word HATE not dislike because HATE is what I am sensing from a lot of the comments that I have read thusfar) but the bottom line is Its a business….ITS FOOTBALL people and if I am correct, his job duties does not require that he be around dogs or any other animals. His job is to protect and throw/run that dang pigskin – THATS IT!

Angela, he is a CRIMINAL. He should still be in jail for what he did. Do you not have any regard for animal life or just the human POS life that tortured and killed those dogs?? Tell me. I would really like to know. Is that POS really that important to you and your precious football? Get a f**king life.

I will not support the Steelers anymore because of this. Any person who allows this kind of thing to happen to innocent animals is an animal himself. He deserves to be put in the ring with one of these dogs and let them tear him apart. Just because he was convicted of the crime does not mean that his character is any better. A large majority of criminals that are in prison repeat again when they get out. He is a cold hearted individual and I would never pull for a team that he is on. There is a huge difference in being accused of something and knowing for sure that they did it. What is wrong with this country.

GROW UP PEOPLE! You all HATE this talented black man as so many of the comments were expressed on FB but you all talk about the integrity. The negativity is UGLY and GUESS WHAT THE ROONEY”S ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO YOU OR HE WOULD’T be SIGNED. Do you really think your the only 5,000 STEELER FANS in the world! HELL NO there is wayyyyyyy more than that who supports Vick coming and or will STILL support the Steelers! GET A LIFE ALREADY! You don’t call the shots on or off the field. Take care of your own household and make sure your family is living right. So much STUPID ANGER! GO feed the homeless or something. The football is NOT a dog it’s a DAMN FOOTBALL. The Ben thing something did happen but he wasn’t proven guilty BUT SOMETHING happened that shouldn’t have POINT BLANK. You all can say he wasn’t found guilty is just your way of saying “Its fine he’s BEN”. I love Ben and I respect him and his ordeal is over so people have moved on but you can do the same for this black man! I WONDER WHY! PFFFFFFFFFFF to hell with these fake fans! GO VICK/ #Rooneysyouhavemysupport, #gosteelers #fakeassfans #destroyinggoodpoperty #watchoutfortheglasswhenuthrowstones

When Ben was going through his case(s) I didn’t see nobody jumping ship. Nobody saying how terrible he was. But if you white the scrutiny only go so far.Black though you are immediately condemned history proves that over and over again. People don’t wanna admit it’s about race. Most of y’all is Catholic but still going to church while the priest are raping kids over and over. I bet none of you left the church. Maybe you condone that behavior and forgive. It’s all about forgiveness. If you can’t do that, like they did Ben cause he paid them off. Let this man live because he served his debt to society. Gotta love America

Whoever claims to a steelers fan and started this petition needs to slapped. I am a true fan and we all know that Big Ben was twice during accused of rape and no one started a petition. Mike was not directly involved in the dog fighting. Mike is more than welcome to be a Steeler!! Proud of the team for giving him a chance.

vick is nothing but a thug. I watched his first interview with the steelers. I think he realizes that he truly doesn’t belong in such a great organization. You can see the evil still lurks behind his eyes.

Most of you are letting your emotions speak without the benefit of intellect. I’ve been a responsible and loving dog owner most of my life and Mike Vick’s involvement seemed to be limited but wrong. Whatever energy you put out will most definitely return to you multiplied! I am a mixed race individual and I became a Steeler fan in the seventies because they were and still are the best example of what an American sports franchise should be. I find that most people are unconscious incompetents. stop hiding behind your emails and enjoy your life and this football season. I forgive Mike Vick and anyone else who makes mistakes. Try love instead of hate and I promise you’ll feel better! Go Steelers!